Exploring the link between kids, stress and eating

NAPSM

Sometimes it’s not what kids are eating that causes a weight problem-it’s the problems that are eating them up inside. Children who have trouble communicating their feelings may be more susceptible to eating disorders.

It’s a problem that’s attracting an increasing amount of attention, as previous attempts to address it have come short. In the past 20 years, despite the proliferation of obesity and eating disorder campaigns, the number of overweight children has tripled.

Epidemiologists warn of an impending epidemic of obesity-related problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems and joint and sleep disorders.

One reason for the lack of success may be that these campaigns focus only on the physical aspects of weight problems.

“In 127 years of working with children overcoming crisis, we’ve learned that stresses take a toll not only on the emotions but on the body and behaviors that affect the body,” said Dr. Julius Licata, director of the problem-solving Web site, TeenCentral.Net. “For clinicians, the link between stress and eating has long been clear, and for kids who have trouble verbalizing their feelings, overeating and other eating disorders are common responses. Campaigns that focus on only the physical side are addressing only half the problem.”

In the past few years, children have had to contend with the emotional fallout of terror attacks, horrific school shootings and disasters such as Hurricane Katrina. The rising tide of stressors may explain why, despite so many traditional obesity prevention campaigns that focused only on the physical side of weight problems, children are becoming less healthy.

Now, the children’s crisis charity KidsPeace and TeenCentral have created the All About Weight kid-friendly awareness campaign.

Receiving more than 2 million hits a month from teens in all 50 states, the TeenCentral site provides safe, clinically screened help and advice from trained counselors on the problems of growing up. It has received rave reviews from users.

The new weight awareness module uses attractive graphics and fun, informative quizzes and offers extensive information in eight weight-related categories.

A lot of programs focus on diet and exercise, but they don’t help with the day-to-day challenges and stresses that lead to eating and weight problems in the first place. This campaign will take on the pressures that teens face every day.

KidsPeace is a national children’s crisis charity dedicated to giving hope, help and healing to children facing crisis. Founded in Bethlehem, Pa., with over 50 centers nationally, the organization directly helps thousands of children overcome traumas and problems of growing up today.

Weight loss campaigns that target teens may not succeed because they focus only on the physical aspects of weight problems and not on related emotional issues.

For more information, visit www.TeenCentral.Net.